Many people have a yearly routine of eating their Thanksgiving meal and then soon after, they take a lengthy nap. People say it is because of the turkey, but turkey is not the main reason you may get sleepy on this eventful day.
Usually on Thanksgiving you eat a lot more food than normal because of how big of a plate your grandma gives you, or you simply just want to try everything out. Ultimately, this is because you are eating so much food that is filled with carbohydrates it can make you very sleepy.
One of the main reasons people believe that turkey makes you sleepy, is because turkey contains tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid linked to the production of neurotransmitters, serotonin, and melatonin which can cause a feeling of relaxation and sleepiness. But even though it contains tryptophan, there is not enough in a serving size for it to have an effect on you or your sleepiness.
Although turkey is filled with carbohydrates, many other food items on your Thanksgiving plate have the same carbohydrate levels. Think about it… mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, gravy, and all the different types of pies and desserts. Although they all taste so good, at the end of the meal, your stomach ends up bloating, and most of the time you physically can’t stand up.
Once you eat a certain amount of carbohydrates your body sends insulin to help process the sugar that is in your bloodstream. Then that is the part that can make your body tired enough to fall sleepy or get that sleepy feeling because it isn’t immune to the sudden spike and drop of your blood sugar. That occurs after you eat carbohydrates which is also known as reactive hypoglycemia.
Another reason why you may be tired after thanksgiving is becauseof the oversimulation from the holiday as a whole. Although in the moment you may feel stressed from that annoying grandmother or little sibling, just know as soon as you find that comfortable bed or couch, you will be out like a light.
But there are also some ways that you can prevent all of these things that make you tired from happening. Like making sure you have enough protein in your thanksgiving meal, go on a walk to help keep the glucose under control. Make sure to stay hydrated as well, as it helps drown out those carbs. Additionally, make sure that you get enough sleep the night before. Getting enough sleep can help with your mood and most importantly your energy for the next day.
